A Tri Star Career Compact teacher, who is also the Celina girls softball coach, has been placed on paid administrative leave of absence while an investigation is being conducted by the Mercer County Sheriff's Office.

The Daily Standard learned the teacher is John Hendricks, who was hired by the district beginning in the 1998-1999 school year. Celina schools Superintendent Fred Wiswell first contacted Sheriff Jeff Grey last Tuesday explaining the school has had a complaint of improper communication between a teacher and student, according to Grey. Grey this morning told the newspaper his department is working to determine if, in fact, a crime has been committed or if the matter should remain with the discretion of the school district. "We have made no determination as yet if criminal activity has taken place. If it has, we will consult with the prosecutor's office to establish what charges will be filed," Grey said. If no crime has been committed, Grey said his office will review the entire case with the school. "It's possible to have no crime, yet have a violation of school policy," he said, adding it's just as important to his office to clear a person of wrongdoing as it is to establish guilt. Hendricks, who is listed as junior and senior computer support technology teacher at Tri Star, has served as girls softball coach since he was hired by the school in 1998. On his resume he also list himself as owner/operator of JAH Enterprises, a Web page development and Internet consulting company.